ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially constituted a monitoring committee to supervise the establishment and operations of the International Center for Tax Excellence (ICTE).
The ICTE, which was introduced under Section 230J of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, aims to enhance Pakistan’s tax administration through research, policy development, and international cooperation.
In a notification issued by the FBR, it was confirmed that the monitoring committee has been formed to ensure the full operationalization of ICTE. The committee consists of key FBR officials, including:
1. Muhammad Iqbal (IRS/BS-21) – Member (Admin/HR), FBR Headquarters, Islamabad – Chairman of the Committee
2. Ahmad Shuja Khan (IRS/BS-21) – Member (Audit/CRM), FBR Headquarters, Islamabad – Committee Member
3. Ardsher Saleem Tariq (IRS/BS-21) – Member (Reforms & Modernization), FBR Headquarters, Islamabad – Committee Member
4. Fida Muhammad (IRS/BS-19) – Chief (International Taxes), Directorate General of International Tax Operations, FBR Headquarters, Islamabad – Committee Member
The ICTE was established as part of the Finance Act, 2023, to serve as a premier institution for tax policy development, international tax cooperation, revenue forecasting, and tax administration research. The FBR has outlined the core functions of ICTE, which include:
• Conducting interdisciplinary research on tax policy and administration.
• Enhancing capacity building of Inland Revenue Officers.
• Organizing international seminars and workshops on global tax challenges.
• Improving revenue collection strategies within the existing framework.
• Advising the FBR and the federal government on policy matters.
The governance of ICTE will be overseen by two key bodies: the Nominating Committee and the Executive Committee.
The Nominating Committee, comprising the Minister-in-Charge, Secretary Revenue Division, and Secretary Finance, will recommend candidates for the role of Executive Director and independent members of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee, including senior FBR officials and independent members, will ensure ICTE’s alignment with national tax policies.
The FBR has also confirmed that the Executive Director will act as the Chief Executive Officer of ICTE, overseeing its daily administrative functions independently. Additionally, the Executive Committee will set the annual objectives for ICTE, ensuring that its research and initiatives align with the FBR’s strategic goals.
To further ensure transparency, the FBR has stipulated that ICTE will follow strict data protection protocols, maintaining taxpayer confidentiality while utilizing anonymized data for research and policy recommendations.
The monitoring committee will also be responsible for overseeing the recruitment of ICTE personnel, with at least 50% of staff positions reserved for serving Inland Revenue officers with a minimum of five years of experience in tax policy or administration.
The FBR remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s tax infrastructure through ICTE, ensuring that the institute plays a vital role in modernizing tax policies, fostering international collaboration, and enhancing revenue generation mechanisms. With the monitoring committee in place, the operationalization of ICTE is expected to progress smoothly, reinforcing the FBR’s efforts toward tax reform and compliance enhancement.
